CSU Bakersfield vs. GSU

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA with Governors State University in University Park, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Bakersfield is larger than GSU based on total student enrollment (10,419 students vs. 4,397 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Bakersfield is located in Bakersfield, CA (Large City setting); Governors State University is in University Park, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• California State University Bakersfield is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Governors State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Bakersfield 20:1; Governors State University 11:1.

CSU Bakersfield vs. GSU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU Bakersfield or GSU? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Bakersfield than GSU ($6,489 vs. $12,756).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Governors State University are 22.2% lower than at California State University Bakersfield ($11,736 vs. $15,076).
• Governors State University is 48.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU Bakersfield (about $3,914 more per year; $12,004.00 vs. $8,090.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 72.4% higher at CSU Bakersfield than at Governors State University (about $8,686 more per year; $20,690.00 vs. $12,004.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Bakersfield than at Governors State University (91% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California State University Bakersfield students is 13.2% larger than aid received by Governors State University students ($12,966 vs. $11,455).

CSU Bakersfield vs. GSU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU Bakersfield or GSU? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between GSU and CSU Bakersfield.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsGovernors State University 830/1060.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU Bakersfield - Test-free; GSU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Bakersfield Dec 15, 2026; GSU Apr 1, 2027.
• CSU Bakersfield has a higher acceptance rate (93.9%) than GSU (48.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.4% at CSU Bakersfield vs. 16.8% at GSU.

CSU Bakersfield vs. GSU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU Bakersfield and GSU? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from California State University Bakersfield earn a median of about $5,700 more per year than GSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($48,300 vs. $42,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Bakersfield graduates have a $4,082 lower median loan debt than GSU graduates ($13,168 vs. $17,250).
• Among borrowers, CSU Bakersfield graduates have an estimated $42 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than GSU graduates ($136 vs. $178).
• More CSU Bakersfield graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former GSU students, three years after graduation. (54% vs. 48%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.